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Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Wildcat Weekly: December 7, 2025

Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Wildcat Weekly: December 7, 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians of Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Students,

As we approach the final weeks of the semester, we want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. This time of year can be especially busy for students and families, and we truly appreciate everything you do to help keep your child engaged and on track. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to our PTO, Athletic Boosters, Band and Color Guard Boosters, and Drama Boosters. Your dedication and support make a tremendous difference for our students—thank you for all you do.

We also want to remind you that our winter exams are scheduled for the final week of the semester. Please review the exam schedule and expectations outlined below. These assessments provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their growth and understanding of the semester’s material. As we prepare, please encourage your child to review their coursework, take advantage of teacher-provided study resources, and get plenty of rest.

Warm regards,
John Vander Meer
Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Principal

Building Spotlight

Congratulations to our December H3 MVP Students of the Month! We celebrated these outstanding students on Friday morning with a recognition reception, and their photos are now proudly displayed in the vestibule at the main entrance. A special thank-you to our sponsors, MVP and the PTO, for their continued support in making these celebrations possible.

  • Ella Behrens - 7th Grade
  • Luke Gertz - 8th Grade
  • Abigail Hagy - 9th Grade
  • Aliyah Waters - 10th Grade
  • Ruby Adamson - 11th Grade
  • Greg Leonard - 12th Grade

Student's of the Month

Hospitality Pre-Apprenticeship Success

Two of our students recently completed their hospitality pre-apprenticeships through the CEES program at the University of Cincinnati, and we are excited to highlight their accomplishments!

Tiana Hornsby spent the semester gaining real-world experience at Starbucks, while Rita Venus worked at the Teacher’s Café on UC’s campus. Both students participated in on-site learning every Wednesday, building valuable skills in customer service, workplace communication, and time management.

Building News

Winter Exam Week (This is different from the EOC Testing Listed Above)

Please see this  Document for schedule and we will have more information to come.

Breakthrough Cincinnati: Academic Enrichment Program

Breakthrough Cincinnati (BTC) is a four-year, tuition-free academic enrichment program designed to energize students to enter college with confidence.

What can families expect?

  • A four-year program beginning the summer before 6th grade, but students can apply entering any grade between entering 6th graders and entering 9th grade
  • Tuition-free academic-focused summer and school year programs, including meals, field trips, and supplies.
  • Year-round support including monthly college and career enrichment, weekly tutoring, and continued college-focused support throughout high school.
  • Mentoring from college-aged role models (Teaching Fellows) and a network of like-minded peers.
  • Summer Program Dates: June 29, 2026–July 31, 2026 (excludes July 3). A typical day runs from 9 AM to 4 PM. Transportation to and from the program is included.
  • Who does BTC prioritize? BTC prioritizes students who are:
    • First Generation College Students
    • From Single Parent Households
    • Low Income

Students currently in 5th or 6th grade who aspire to attend college are prioritized to apply, and students currently in 7th and 8th grade may also apply. There is a request to continue the program through its entirety for 4 years if you begin in grade 6.

To Apply: Visit breakthroughcincinnati.org.

School Closing Information Reminder

As we enter a season of unpredictable weather, we want to ensure all families are prepared in the event of a school closing or delay. Deer Park Schools will share any schedule changes through multiple communication channels, including:

  • Text and phone call alerts

  • Email notifications

  • The district website

  • Local news stations

  • District social media accounts

Please take a moment to verify your contact information is up to date and make sure you are connected to the platforms that work best for your family. With potentially hazardous weather in the forecast over the coming weeks, staying informed will help ensure everyone remains safe and prepared.

Sandy’s Closet & Family Resources

As the weather turns colder, Sandy’s Closet is fully stocked with winter coats, socks, and other warm clothing items — all free for our Deer Park families! The closet is open every school day from 8:00 AM–3:30 PM. If you need an alternate time to visit, please email Patty Hadden at hadden.p@dpccsd.org to arrange a convenient pickup.

In addition, simple, ready-to-make meal packs are available through Student Services at Holmes. Families may stop by the office any school day or contact us directly for support.

We encourage all families to take advantage of these wonderful resources — they’re here to help keep our students and families warm, supported, and well-fed this season!

Free & reduced Lunch Form

This is an important reminder that Free and Reduced Lunch forms must be completed every school year. Benefits do not roll over from the previous year.

Please log in to Final Forms and complete a new application so your child can start or continue receiving free or reduced lunch and breakfast.

If you have any questions, please contact Traci Day at day.t@dpccsd.org.

We want to ensure every student has what they need to be successful at school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any additional questions.

Counselor's Corner

Click HERE for the Counselor’s Corner!

Looking Ahead

  • Boys JH Basketball vs. Madeira: Monday, December 8 | 4:30/5:30 p.m.
  • HS Choir (Crawford): Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 7 p.m.
  • Amity 4th Grade Holiday Musical (Amity Gym): Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 6 p.m.
  • JH Holiday Concerts (Crawford): Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 7/8:15 p.m.
  • Boys/Girls Varsity Bowling vs. Indian Hill (Eastgate Bowl): Wednesday, December 10 | 3:30 p.m.
  • Boys JH Basketball vs. Mariemont: Wednesday, December 10 | 4:30/5:30 p.m.
  • Boys JV/Varsity Basketball vs. Finneytown: Wednesday, December 10 | 6:30/8 p.m.
  • Boys/Girls Varsity Bowling vs. Mariemont (Madison Bowl): Thursday, December 11 | 3:30 p.m.
  • 6th Grade Band/Choir Holiday Concert (Crawford): Thursday, Dec. 11 | 6:30 p.m.
  • Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Madeira: Friday, December 12 | 6:30 p.m.
  • JH Girls Basketball vs. Taylor: Monday, December 15 | 4:30 p.m.
  • High School Bands Holiday Concert (Crawford): Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 6:30 p.m.

In Case You Missed It

Schoology and FinalForms

Please be sure your FinalForms are updated. Please check your previously entered information for accuracy. You may click here to access the forms and get started.

Secondly, as a reminder, teachers use Schoology to keep grades and assignments up to date. Schoology’s platform offers a tremendous amount of information in a user-friendly version. You will be able to communicate with your child’s teachers and check homework and grades through Schoology. If you need your Schoology login information, please contact the main office at 513-891-0010.

Bell Schedule

For the Jr./Sr. High School  Schedule please click here Click Here 

A couple of things to keep in mind regarding the daily schedule:

  • The school day will be 8:10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Doors will open at 7:30 a.m Students may buy breakfast during this time
  • All students arriving prior to 8:00 a.m. will report to the cafeteria until the bell rings, releasing them to their lockers and class.

Update to Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Backpack & Cell Phone Policy

Following the recent enactment of a bill by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, all schools are now mandated to implement cell phone policies. In alignment with this directive and our commitment to fostering an optimal learning atmosphere, Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School students will be required to put all electronic devices—including cell phones, headphones, AirPods, and similar items—in their backpacks or lockers. Students will be allowed to take their backpacks to class this year. This will enable all students to arrive to class on time and provide extra protection for their Chromebooks.

If a student is caught with their phone, headphones, or other electronic devices out anytime during the school day, they will be required to place the device in an assigned Yondr Pouch going forward for a determined period. Please see the student handbook for complete details. For any questions or further discussion, feel free to contact me directly at 513-891-0010 or via email at vandermeer.j@dpccsd.org.

Your support is crucial to the continued success of this expectation at Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School. Together, we can provide a more enriching and distraction-free learning environment for our students.

Attendance Reminders/Updates:

Please review the following instructions:

  • When a student is absent, please call the attendance line at 891-2414 before the start of the school day.
  • If a student will have a late arrival or early dismissal, please email DPHSattendance@dpccsd.org no more than one day in advance. Be sure to include the student's name, reason for leaving/arriving late, and the time the student will be picked up.
    • Ensure that all emails come from an address we have on file for a parent/guardian. If the email address is not on file, it will not be accepted.
    • If you send an email or a physical note for early dismissal, you do not need to come in to sign your child out; we will allow them to sign out on their own.
    • However, if you only call and do not provide written permission, you will be required to come into the school and sign your child out on the SafeId kiosk, located in the main lobby.
  • Even if your child is 18, they will not be permitted to leave without parental permission.
  • Any medical appointment or court appearance is excused and will not be counted against a student.
    • These appointments will only be marked as medically excused once documentation (e.g., a medical note) has been received to verify.

Dress Code Reminders

As we welcome everyone back for another exciting school year, we want to remind students and parents about the importance of adhering to our dress code, especially with the extreme heat we're experiencing. We understand that staying cool is a priority, but it's equally important to dress appropriately for the school environment. Please ensure that all clothing choices align with our dress code policy, which promotes a respectful and focused learning atmosphere. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. For your reference, dress code information can be found in the student handbook which is accessible through FinalForms.

2025-26 PDF District Calendar

Each year, the Deer Park Board of Education approves the district's yearly calendar, which can be found on the Deer Park Schools website. This calendar includes official school dates, holidays, and breaks. Additionally, a printed event calendar will be sent home with your student during the first week of school. For your convenience, you can access the PDF calendar using the link provided below.

View the Calendar

Staying Connected

There are multiple ways to stay connected to Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School. Please see the attached flyer for ways to stay connected through Email, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Text Messages.

  • E-Mail: Newsletter: All parents who have completed FinalForms should receive Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School Weekly Newsletters. If you are not currently receiving them, please register for the e-mail communication. To register, simply go to www.deerparkcityschools.org and click on the button on the bottom of the page that says “Subscribe to District News”. From there, you will send an email requesting that you be added to future email communication from the district.
  • X: Follow Deer Park Jr./Sr. High School for the most up-to-date news and happenings! @DeerParkHS, @DeerParkSchools, @dpcounselor, and @DP_Athletics
  • Instagram: Follow @deerparkhs for photos featuring students, teachers and staff!
  • Facebook: Follow us at Deer Park Community City Schools and Deer Park Jr/Sr High School.

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Inspiring & Empowering Lifelong Success

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